Opposition leader Raila Odinga has remained largely silent on the heating Mau Forest issue, even after his name was dragged into the ongoing evictions.
With the second phase of the evictions drawing near, the issue has since taken a political turn, with leaders both opposed and in support of the evictions clashing.
But Odinga who is most likely in support of the move is hesitant to venture into the debate because it will soil his newly acquired statesman tittle, as he will obviously have to pick a side.
This will destroy the castle he is trying to build under the Building Bridges Initiative he co-leads with President Uhuru Kenyatta.
He is most likely warning up for his 5th shot at the presidency in 2022, making picking sides the last thing can do now since he will need all Kenyans' votes.
Thirdly, Odinga warned against the ongoing encroachment in the forest earlier and like a parent, is now letting the nation rip the benefits of its defiance.
The leader would later be punished by the Kalenjin community in his 2013 presidential bid, after he led an attempt to evict Mau Forest dwellers during his Prime Ministerial tenure.
He is unwilling to involve himself in the exchange between government allied-politicians and his opposition lieutenants, as that will lower his political level as a top national figure.
Also, the former Premier who has since confirmed that he remains in the opposition does not want to interfere in the practice which is openly spearheaded by the government.
This is after he vowed to support Uhuru's moves and does not need to declare his support for the evictions as that way he will be repeating himself.
On the other hand, opposing it will see him contradict himself.